I'd jump down the throat of that agent.... I would demand they be taken down and if it doesn't happen, I'd go to the next step....once I start, I don't stop.

How annoyed are you?  You can give the agent 24 hours to take them down, which they will.  You can also lodge a complaint with the MLS which will probably levy a fine.  Filing a complaint will create a record, in case this agent makes a habit of purloining photos.

That is why I delete most of my photos from the MLS once a property either expires, is withdrawn, or sold. Our MLS has rules for this, so agents can report to them, then they will follow up with the unauthorized use of your photos. If the agent can't provide proof that they had permission to use the photos, MLS will remove them.

Do all 4

1 send them a bill

2 call them

3 call their broker

4 call the mls dept at your local association

It happened once and I reported it to my mls and they made the agent take them down put her own up.

Say what? To what photos you you make reference?

The photos to which you FORFEITED ownership right to your MLS.

The photos to which you FORFEITED through syndication?

The photos to which you FORFEITED ownership rights when you posted on AR?

Those parties, not you. are the one's who now OWN your IP.

Yes, you can make noise, you can threaten, you can even tell Mommy MLS, but the agents rights disappeared long ago.

That is why agents need the right to brand their images with their ownership title.

You need to 'rethink' syndication.

I just report them to the MLS and let them handle it.  I don't buy the excuse they don't know any better - it's common sense. If the agent did not take the photos or hire someone to take the photos, then they are stealing someone else's work.  If they don't have that basic concept down, then they have bigger problems.  

Frank Rubi I would report it to the MLS and they would take care of it.

I never look and I'm too busy to care. If I didn't want them re-used, I'd delete them prior to going Sold on the MLS. I don't believe in purgery, a writer's words are theirs alone. But, photos and quotes and videos online, I just feel they are for sharing once posted. Again, if I didn't want it shared, I'd not post it to begin with. I tend to agree with @Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041 on this one. I mean seriously who has time to police this stuff?

I just had that happened to me, I sent the agent using my photos an email with a link to the copyright infringement notice in my website and within seconds, the pictures were taken down.

If I have an expired or withdrawn listing, I take down all the photos in the MLS with the exception of the first one.

Getting to your question, I would do the same thing as Barbara Todaro and Nina Hollander!

I would start with a phone call to the agent.  Perhaps they are new and didn't realize...??  I always prefer to give someone the benefit of making a mistake and owning it...  If the agent gives any resistance, you can take the next step.

Its subjective to be sure however my main thought is I am through with them

Contact the listing agent/broker first and then other appropriate action if necessary.  

I start with a simple call, they ignore me i go to the managing broker. They ingnore me i go to the state real estate commission

That's a touchy one. You own the photos, and the agent that stole them for their own use is wrong. I would indeed turn the agent in to the MLS - AND I would send a warning letter to the agent and the brokerage - put them BOTH on notice.

And then, is it worth your time?

As long as I did not need them anymore, why not build a little good will and be generous.

I would certainly be upset Frank Rubi but I remember reading very recently, I believe in a REALTOR magazine,  a judge ruled  that if one party is not financial affected to bad even though the picture was copyrighted.

Git a rope!
I had this happen to me a couple years back. You go to the MLS and report it, and they will enforce removal. Then, you make it clear to that agent and their broker that you are watching and will not tolerate it happening again. Hawthorne Effect.

I'm with Barbara Todaro on this.  Personally had that happen more than once and I know how you feel.  It's stealing and it's not right.  I did call the agent and ended up calling the office manager/broker and they were two of a kind.  They did take the photos down but with the internet  and photos and everything else staying on once it's there it didn't accomplish much.  Hopefully you get this resolved.  After reading all the other comments I edited this....I see so many others have the same mindset on this.  I didn't realize it happens that often.  It certainly should happen.  

I report to our MLS...in fact, I just reported a gal yesterday! It's maddening that agents are too lazy or too cheap to take or pay for their own photos for not only MLS but, social media and their own websites.

I would be in touch with them and their broker abou having them taken down promptly, and if not in 24 hours would file a complaint with the MLS

I really don't care about this. My goal is to focus on the positives. TH ereal problem is that it misrepresents the home and buyers when they see it will be distrustful.

Call the agent and se if he will reimburse you for it.

Our MLS has a policy against this and you can report unauthorized use of your photos.  I suggest contacting the agent first and getting them to remove them.  However, the issue may be your photographer - and did you have exclusive use of these? Or did your photographer have the right to sell the same photos to someone else?

Give em a call if they don't remove it's broker time and MLS time!

Everyone has great,spot on answers. It is illegal but doesn't stop people. In the marketing world, we place the name/watermark/logo(if you have one or you are a brand) on each photo as well that shows who owns it. Not sure if that is accepted in RE world.

If you took them, you get to tell them to take them down. Our MLS is really good & quick about that.

It is against our MLS rules and regulations to do this without permission so they can enforce and fine the agent. If that is the case with your MLS I would first call the agent and give them a chance to remove and if they don't call the MLS to let them enforce it.-Kasey

Report them yo their broker, the MLS provider and your local board. 

I would follow Dianne Goode advice. Demand it to be taken down within 24 hours.

Around here you just call our local MLS, they remove the listing until the offender post their own photos..  If they don't do so within  short amount of time the MLS fines them for each and every day

As Barbara stated and I would notify your local board, and even perhaps file a grievance. This is an ethics problem and a copyright infringement that may warrant a letter from your attorney

Call the agent and tell him/her to take them down. They are stealing.

I would sick Barbara Todaro on them!

The Agent has already paid for the professional photos and the photos should not be used "for free"  by any one else without prior permission.

Frank,

I would start with a call, and if nothing happened, I would have an attorney draw up a cease and desist letter.  A

Frank,

I do not pay for professional photos, I take them myself, but it does burn me up when another agent does copy them. I simply contact the MLS and report. Like Jeff Pearl said, it is wise to take them down and just leave one when sold.

I would go after that agent for more than a small check!  

Report to your MLS. Agent now thinks they have rights because of the payment. 

The photos were not for sale. They were stolen and misused without permission. Also adding what Barbara Todaro said. 

I'd talk to the agent first and ask them to cease and desist.  If that fails, contact the broker.  If that fails do a board grievance and have a lawyer contact them for IP theft.

Follow the procedures required by your MLS.

It happened.  Once. The agent got spanked. By guess who. Several years later that same agent went to jail for mishandling funds (property management).

Frank Rubi - I am sure you can complain to the board. Though for EXPIRED listing?

I have not had this problem but I would be on the phone right away

The first time I would contact the agent directly and demand they be removed that very day or else I would send the bill to their Broker. The second time, I would send the bill to their Broker.

Wow, that easy? Just drop a personal check and that will fix it all? 

Go to the MLS and then after the criminal.

I delte them if the listing expires.

 This question makes me miss Lenn Harley.

It is against our rules in the MLS unless the agent gives permission. I'm glad to see the agent dropped off the check..as a new agent they learned a valuable lesson.

I would call the agent.  I would think that they knew that you shouldn't be using others work, but perhaps they don't.  After that, you may need to escalate it to their broker, and then the MLS.  Sometimes you don't know what is going through someones mind until you talk with them.  

First I have an agreement with the photographer (written) that gives me ownership of said listing photos.  Second if someone else pulls them they must do it before my listing expires or is sold, because I remove them (with the exception of the main photo to be used for BPOs and CMAs and appraisals). If my photos are used I have an attorney prepared cease and desist order that I mail to them.  If they don't comply in 48 hours my attorney mails a certified intent to seek legal remedy letter.  It's never gone beyond that.